Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

204

No. 147 LETTER FROM D. E. TWIGGS TO COLONEL L. THOMAS

Head Quarters Department of Texas, San Antonio, June 16, 1857

Sir:

There are thirty-one companies in this Department, sta- tioned from Fort Brown on the Rio Grande, to Fort Duncan, Eagle Pass, on the same river; the posts extending north and West from there to Fort Davis, on the Limpia, and East to Fort Belknap, a country over thirteen hundred miles in extent. These posts are so distant from each other that marauding parties of Indians can easily pass between them without being discovered, and, if discovered, it is very difficult to overtake them; indeed, there is not one case in fifty where a command can come up with them. The posts are situated at the most eligible points for the protection of the frontier, but ten times the number of posts and men we now have cannot give entire security to the inhabitants and their property. We are acting entirely on the defensive. and the end of this state of things seems to be very distant. I would respectfully suggest a change of policy. All Indians, for the past two years, found in and near the borders of Texas, have been treated as hostile. Would not a treaty or talk with them, through their civil agents, lead to some good results? It has been suggested by Colonel Johnston, 2nd Cavalry, who is well acquainted with the country, that a Regiment of mounted men be posted at or near the Wichita Mountains, and expeditions sent out Winter and summer to their hunting grounds, where their families are supposed to be; this would put a stop to their incursions into Texas. This Regiment could be supplied from Eastern Texas and Arkansas. Wood water and grass are found near these mountains in great abundance. The troops in this De- partment could not safely be withdrawn from the positions occu- pied. Troops for this purpose would have to be taken from other portions of the country. Carrying on a war like the present is exceedingly annoying and harrassing to the troops, and no good permanent results can be looked for.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, Your obt. servant,

(Signed)

D. E. TWIGGS Bvt. Maj. Genl. U.S. A., Comdg. Department.